The Headroom Max

It was Headroom's statement product and it is still fantastic SS amp.

Is it '06 Max module in this amp?

I'm not sure which Max we're talking about here. If you're talking about the "old school" max with the rectangular extruded housing (either green or black anodized), then yes, I've had a lot of experience with it (I owned one). I've had few chances to try the newer Max, mostly at meets.

In both cases, I'd have to say that they are good amps, well worth considering. I liked my Max a lot, and always regretted selling it once it was gone. I'm not sure how well the older versions would hold up compared to what's available today, though the older versions with the newest electronics modules were VERY good.

I have a Headroom Balanced Max with DAC and the famous Alps Attenuator.  I must admit that I still love the unit very much.  It sounds really great.  I recently picked up a pair of Koss Quadraphonic Pro 5Q headphones and am enjoying the sounds on it.  I also have a pair of Sennheiser HD 650, 600 and 580s.  They sound great as well.  I was a little disappointed with Headroom for discontinuing the Max- but I guess at almost $6000 per unit, it wasn't a big seller.  I believe that the good news about this unit was that it had a 5 year warrantee and that it was transferable.  The Alps Attenuator is a good feature as well; so that you won't have to be stuck at a volume click that isn't quite right for your desired listening preferences.  One thing is for sure, the Max has plenty of volume power.  If you are wise and want to keep your hearing, you should refrain from going anywhere past the halfway mark on the volume knob.  Also nice are the four headphone inputs on the front of the unit.   Scottsmrnyc

I had the 2005 Max. I thought it added a very slight warmish tone to the music. It didn't do anything overly special.

 

I remember the original owner bought is discounted for around $1,400. I ended up buying it off him for $1,100. I used it for a year and sold it $600.

 

When I told my family I paid $1,100 for it, they called me an idiot.

 

Oh well.

Does anyone know why the higher end headroom amps were discontinued? I remember that the line went up to 4000+ US$ and was a reference as far as quality was concerned.

Usually when something is discontinued it's because it wasn't selling well, too expensive to make, or couldn't find certain parts.

 

And $4,000 now can get you a lot of high-quality gear compared to five years ago.

 

My two cents.

:)

CJ
 

It was certainly the best amp Headroom made at the time. I was always struck by how enormous the enclosure for the amp is, it looks like a huge chunk of aluminum on your equipment rack.

 

- DoA

I still have mine (from 1999 & upgraded in '04). It was nice with AKG701s and Grado GS1000s--kind of warmed things up and was definitely musical,

but it can't compete with my Rudistor RP010B in just about any aspect.

Mine has the max DAC and stepped pot, best SS amp I've ever heard. =)

I've mine almost 3 years now and i'm still enyoing it very much, especially  with the HD800.

The only thing is that i must clean the stepped attenuator once a year or so with Deoxit, to solve the crackling noise it makes when  turning the volume knob. But I don't mind it that much, because overall the MAX is an outstanding amp.